Chapter 334 - Heading Back to the Base Camp

When I finished my conversation with Hijiri, we began heading back to where Seras and the others are……

[Elder Sister.]

Itsuki approached.

Glancing behind her, she pointed behind her back with her thumb.

[Kirihara’s the same as before. Prez is sleeping like she’s waiting for her prince.]

[Let her sleep for now.]

[Prez actually looks cute when she sleeps huh. Rather———— Mimori…… Are you really Mimori?]

With a posture like looking at my face from below, Itsuki observed me.

[Is it because of the way he talks? The impression of his voice also feels different. Mhmm…… I mean, doesn’t your face look a little different from what I remember? Is it because your hair is slightly overgrown? Isn’t it more like you’re like us and is actually just the twin brother of Mimori?]

[Just before he was disposed of———–]

At that moment, Hijiri spoke.

[You remembered how he spoke sharply to Vysis, right? That was the real Mimori-kun. He had been quite the tremendous actor.]

[Aaahhh…… I see, so that’s Mimori’s true nature…… ———-Rather, Elder Sister! Putting him aside!]

[ ? ]

[For real, this is bad news!]

Saying this, Itsuki turned around.

Then, she began fluttering about behind Seras, who was walking towards us.

[This is bad, Elder Sister! It’s the real Seras Ashrain! The real deal! This is really bad, Elder Sister!]

The expression on Seras’ face looked as if it was a mix of a forced smile and a wry smile.

Itsuki’s mouth was shaped like a chestnut.

[After a little talking and observation earlier, I realized…… Could this be the real beauty Elder Sister often talked about!? A real beauty that isn’t only beautiful in appearance, but also in behavior, gestures, speech and personality, right? Of all the people I’ve met, I really think that Seras-san is at least three heads above the rest!]

The reaction of those who had seen the image of something before, upon seeing the real thing for the first time, is usually similar to this.

Even so———— Younger Takao……

The sharpness I previously had about her faded away.

I had this impression that she’s a cruel person.

Yes, like……

As befitting with the opinion she expressed regarding Kirihara’s treatment just now.

How should I say this…… It’s like the current Takao Itsuki is like an “older sister’s little baby”.

And said older sister……

[Indeed. A person’s beauty is a concept that “stops” there if it’s only based on appearance and proportions….. This means, it’s a matter of sustainability. There’s that saying where one loses interest in beauty after three days, right? In a way, you could say that these are words used for things that only have superficial beauty. Genuine beauty requires a variety of things, such as behavior that makes use of one’s proportions, cultivated character, and noble will. Genuine beauty is, in other words, sustainable beauty———— If one can embody this, they will be able to become a real beauty. Of course, that’s regardless of gender.]

Pausing for a moment, Hijiri continued.

[Of course, this is based on the assumption that the standard of beauty is one’s proportions. The standard of beauty originally varies from person to person after all.]

Itsuki’s eyes opened wide at that.

[I- I know the language you’re speaking, but I have no clue what you’re talking about…… I’m just getting confused……]

Seeing her like that……

[In short, what she’s saying is that if they’re a beauty with a bad personality, you’ll get tired of them pretty quickly. And if they’re good on the inside, that beauty will last them long.]

[Well———– Roughly speaking, I guess you could say that.]

[Oh, so thaaaaat’s how it is. You sure are good at summarizing stuff, Mimoril.]

Hijiri looked at Seras……

[Well, even so…… Indeed, Seras-san may be someone who meets the criteria for real beauty I just mentioned.]

[If it’s someone as beautiful as her, I feel like her beauty could destroy a country. You know, isn’t she like one of those femme fatale they mentioned?]

[Itsuki…… Even if you keep on saying they’re beautiful, you may end up troubling the person themself. That especially goes for truly beautiful people. Look, Seras-san is also troubled, isn’t she?]

[Eh? Seras-san is troubled? I- It’s not that I mean to trouble you……]

[Ah, no———– I’m not troubled. Please don’t worry about it. However, I’m not that interesting of a High Elf so…… Please don’t expect too much of a witty reaction from me…… Fufu……]

With a smile kept on her face, Seras smiled.

It was a self-inflicting insult by her humble self-deprecation.

Are you alright with that, Seras……

[This is bad…… Could it be, did I just step on a landmine for Seras-san……?]

[Well, Seras is———–]

[Ara? With the way you were saying, can I take I’m also one of these beauties?]

Relief rushed in in the form of an interruption just as I was about to make a follow-up.

The one who entered the circle with a smile was Kurosaga’s Chief.

As to be expected of a very caring elder.

[What do you think, Itsuki-san? Am I beautiful too?]

[Eh? Let’s see…… Munin-san———- feels like a beautiful, good-natured lady.]

[A lady……!]

[My first impression of you was a strict nun-like person who was hard to get along with, but expectedly, I felt like I could speak freely with you, so I like you.]

[Itsuki-san…… You’re a really nice girl! I like you too!]

[Wai…… Mnghhh…… These are even bigger than Seras-san’s, and being hugged like this feels painful!? Mnguhhhh!]

…………………..

Hijiri looks at her little sister for a moment, seemingly astounded……

[……I’m sorry for my little sister, Mimori-kun.]

[Well, the existence of mood makers like her is necessary…… Ahh, speaking of which———- Come on, introduce yourself too, Pigimaru.]

[Pigii! Poyon!]

Slithering along my body, Pigimaru came out on my shoulder.

[Ahh, is this that slime from before?]

[This is my partner.]

[Piggi.]

Putting her hand over her mouth, Hijiri looks at Pigimaru with interest.

[“Fly King”————- I see, so that’s how it is huh. Is his name derived from a character in Golding’s “Lord of the Flies”?]

[Hmm? No, his cries sounded like Piggi and he’s round…… combining that makes him Pigimaru……]

It seems like she associated his name with a character of some book.

[…………………]

[…………………]

[———–So that’s how it is. It’s a good name. Nice to meet you, Pigimaru——— kun? Can I call you that? I’m Hijiri Takao.]

[Pigiii.]

Pigimaru stretched out a protrusion.

Hijiri held out her index finger, but just as she was about to touch Pigimaru, she stopped.

[……It’s alright to touch him, right?]

[Of course.]

[Pinyuii.]

[C- Can I also touch him?]

Itsuki came close, and pushed a finger on Pigimaru’s body.

[Pinyuii?]

[Ohh…… This is kinda cute……]

Hijiri also began expressionlessly poking Pigimaru.

[Pi, pi? Pimu, pimu? Pinyu, pinyu? Pinyii?]

Pigimaru squeals every time the sisters poked him with their fingers.

Seeing this, Itsuki’s shoulders shook……

[Wha———– What the heck is this, Mimori!? While we were having a hard time dealing with Rampage Express Kirihara and that fraud Goddess, you’re here traveling with cuties like this Pimu Pimu Slime and Pakyun Pony…… Isn’t this just unfair!?

[Even if you say that……]

I thought of this back when I was talking with the elder Takao but……

Talking like this with the younger Takao somehow feels kinda strange.

▽

My fake head and the fake Seras———– or rather, the transport unit arrived.

For the time being, I’m wearing the Fly Knight mask that Munin had been wearing.

This is because my Fly King mask was damaged in the battle against Kirihara.

I’ve already told them the gist of the situation through a magical war pigeon.

However, I added a few explanations for the members of the transport unit.

After the explanation, everyone got into the carriage.

Sogou and Kirihara were also carried into the carriage.

At their arrival, another magical war pigeon is flown toward the Mad Emperor.

Thereupon, the carriage starts to move.

The carriage is quite spacious inside.

One long seat was laid out on both sides of the carriage, but only one side is open for people to sit on.

The other long seat———– its large space was reserved for luggage and other things.

We are all tired.

It would be good to take a rest while we’re moving.

[You both had hurriedly rushed here, so you sisters must be tired. You can sleep there. We have sleeping bags prepared.]

[The one especially tired here is Itsuki since she continuously used her Unique Skill while we’re rushing here, so you sleep tight in the sleeping bag there, Itsuki.]

[Yep.]

Itsuki gets into the sleeping bag.

[Zzzzz.]

[……She sure slept fast.]

[She had always been a good sleeper.]

[You should also get some sleep too, Hijiri. You’re tired too, aren’t you? I can tell from your voice.]

[Mimori-kun being hard to fool makes you a little hard to deal with.]

Jokingly saying this, Hijiri also went to sleep.

Though I say that, she was just sitting on the edge of the seat, leaning her body against the carriage’s wall.

……Now then.

I should let Seras and the others rest too, but before that————

[So…… What do you two think? Regarding the Takao sisters, I mean.]

I consulted with Seras and Munin.

In our conversation here, I guess we should take into account that the sisters are actually still awake and listening in huh.

At my words, Seras replied.

[Yes, I think they are both trustworthy people. It seems like you too trust the two of them, Touka-dono.]

[Indeed, I think the two of them are nice girls. Somehow, I’m even kinda feeling like Hijiri-san is older than me, so I feel like she’s a terrifyingly reliable child……]

Munin looks at a far distance, seemingly deep in thought.

No, well…… I think Takao Hijiri is just somewhat special, you know?

In any case, the two of them don’t seem to have bad impressions of the sisters.

Like Seras said, the Takao sisters seem trustworthy to me too.

Other than that though……

I can only hope that Hijiri will be able to hold Sogou’s reins well.

Seras is tired, but she doesn’t seem to be sleepy.

So, in the meantime, she’s currently repairing my Fly King mask.

“Please leave Milord’s mask to me”, she said.

[It’s just that, well, this modified mask has gotten pretty battered…… I think it’s about time we get a new mask.]

After that, our travels in the carriage continued while we took turns resting and talking.

During that time, the Takao sisters also woke up.

We exchanged information and talked about the future.

Though I say that, Itsuki seemed to be more fascinated with playing around with Slei, as Itsuki talked to her while embracing her.

[Panpii~~]

[Panpii~~? What is it? Do you mean the general people?]

[Pakyuun, pakyuriii ?]

[D- D*mn it…… What’s with you!? How can you be so cute~~ You’re so adorable~~]

Slei also seemed to like Itsuki.

Thereupon, Itsuki seemed to have remembered something.

[Speaking of which, Elder Sister, should we tell Mimori about that too? You know, about Erika-san’s unfinished magic tool……]

When I curiously inquired Hijiri about it with my eyes……

[I heard that Erika-san has been working on magic tools against the Goddess over there for a long time.]

That is, well———– obvious.

I’ve seen her failed projects piled up in the basement.

I’m sure a lot of the magic tools she had been working on were designed for use against the Goddess.

So much so that Erika got on board with my revenge against that sh*tty Goddess.

[She said she might be able to complete a magic tool that could inhibit the abilities of a Deity, albeit slightly. However, she still hadn’t finished it yet by the time we left.]

[When we were at her house, she had explained to us about the magic tool. At that time, Elder Sister apparently gave her a hint of some sort and it felt like she got the piece she needed. Talking with Elder Sister got her that eureka or something?]

[I wonder if it was something like in those mystery novels, where a little keyword came as a hint to the solution. Anyhow———– What Erika-san said was “I’ll tell you when it’s completed, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to notify you all about it properly, so don’t expect too much”.]

For the time being, I guess I should consider going to Erika’s place to pick it up.

However, I’m not sure if we would have enough time to make a round trip there……

I guess that would also depend on what Vysis is doing huh.

Other than that———— I was also asked (mainly by Itsuki) about my relationship with Seras.

It’s not like I had anything to hide, so I honestly told them about it.

Seras, who is sitting next to me, occasionally joins in the conversation or responds with a nod.

Perhaps she’s feeling embarrassed from the subject, her white cheeks were slightly blushing red.

However, her reactions were quite restrained.

Hearing all that———– Itsuki was taken aback.

[T- The relationship between you two…… From what I heard, isn’t it simply “that”? No, I could tell your relationship isn’t simple just from the atmosphere…… but this is more than I expected……]

“Uwahh, seriously?”, the younger Takao flusteredly squirmed.

Then, with a blush on her face……

[Uwaahhh~~ Elder Sister, they’re for real~~]

Itsuki looked really shook up.

I wonder if they’re just unexpectedly pure-hearted?

……Or perhaps, I may have been a bit too upfront with my words.

As time in the carriage passed like that———– The carriage we were riding on finally arrived at Mira’s army camp, where the Mad Emperor awaits.